This Date in Rock Music History: March 31

 
1949:  The 45 rpm single record was first introduced by RCA Victor, one year after the LP record was introduced by Columbia.  Both provided better sound quality and longer playing time than the 78 rpm that had been the standard.
1956:  Brenda Lee made her television debut on Ozark Jambouree on ABC, singing "Jambalaya".
1957:  Elvis Presley played two concerts at Olympia Stadium in Detroit before 24,000 fans.








1958:  Chuck Berry released "Johnny B. Goode".  
1958:  "Tequila" by the Champs took over at #1 on the R&B chart.  It went on to become one of The Top 10 Instrumentals of the Rock Era*.
1959:  The Jimmie Rodgers Show debuted on NBC-TV.
1960:  Lonnie Donegan debuted at #1 on the U.K. Singles chart with "My Old Man's A Dustman".








                                       Roy Orbison with one of his biggest career hits...

1962:  Connie Francis hit #1 in the U.S. with "Don't Break The Heart That Loves You".  Bruce Channel gave way with "Hey! Baby" while Shelley Fabares was up nicely from 11 to 3 with "Johnny Angel".  Roy Orbison was up to 4 with "Dream Baby" while Kenny Ball & His Jazzmen dropped with the former #2 hit "Midnight In Moscow".  The rest of the Top 10:  "Slow Twistin'" from Chubby Checker, Don & Juan with "What's Your Name", the Sensations fell with "Let Me In", Elvis Presley registered his 28th Top 10 hit and 54th overall in just seven years with "Good Luck Charm", which moved from 14-9 and Sam Cooke had #10--"Twistin' The Night Away".






 
1962:  The Beatles ventured to the South of England, appearing at the Subscription Rooms in Stroud.  The Rebel Rousers joined them in a concert that would cost 5 schillings, or about 70 cents.
1964:  The Beatles filmed a "live" television performance at the Scale Theatre for use in the movie A Hard Day's Night.  The songs  that made it to the film were "I Should Have Known Better", "And I Love Her", "She Loves You", and "Tell Me Why".
1966:  The Elvis Presley movie Frankie and Johnnie premiered in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.






 
1967:  Jimi Hendrix stunned fans at the Astoria in London, England when he poured lighter fluid on his Stratocaster guitar, smashed it, and set it on fire.  Hendrix suffered hand burns, not to mention the burns to his ego, but it was the first of many times Hendrix would pull the stunt.  
1968:  Bobby Sherman starred in an episode of The F.B.I. on ABC-TV.








1969:  The Guess Who released the single "These Eyes".
1973:  Donny Osmond had the #1 song in the UK with his remake of the Johnny Mathis song "The Twelfth of Never".
1973:  Eric Weissberg & Steve Mandell had the top album with Dueling Banjos.









1973:  "Sing" rose to #1 on the Adult chart, giving the Carpenters their seventh #1 on that chart in four years, and the ninth song to reach either #1 or #2 during that time.
1973:  Gladys Knight & the Pips celebrated a third week at #1 on the R&B chart with "Neither One Of Us (Wants To Be The First To Say Goodbye"), which wound up as one of The Top 10 R&B Songs of the 70's*.







                                            Gladys & the Pips with another smash...

1973: Roberta Flack returned to #1 for a fifth week with "Killing Me Softly With His Song".  Deodato was one step away with his great instrumental "Also Sprach Zarathustra (2001)".  Gladys Knight & the Pips edged up with "Neither One Of Us (Wants To Be The First To Say Goodbye)" with previous #1 "Love Train" by the O'Jays stopping off at #4.  The Four Tops moved up with their 32nd career hit--"Ain't No Woman (Like The One I've Got)".  The rest of the Top 10:  The new song from the Stylistics, "Break Up To Make Up", Edward Bear dropped with "Last Song", the Carpenters moved into the list with "Sing" and Vicki Lawrence jumped from 16 to 10 with "The Night The Lights Went Out In Georgia".
1976:  Led Zeppelin released the album Presence.  (Note:  some websites report that the album was released on April 5.  The correct date is March 31, according to the band's official website as well as the book 'Icons of Rock:  Velvet Underground; the Grateful Dead, and Led Zeppelin' by Scott Schinder and Andy Schwwartz.) 
1976:  The Brotherhood of Man owned the top song in the U.K. with "Save Your Kisses For Me".
1977:  An Elvis Presley concert in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, was postponed after Elvis did not return from intermission. 
1979:  Sister Sledge had the new #1 on the R&B chart with "He's The Greatest Dancer".
1979:  "Crazy Love"  by Poco was on its way to becoming one of The Top Adult Contemporary Songs of the 1970's*, as it led the way for a fourth straight week.

1979:  For the fifth week, the great album Spirits Having Flown by the Bee Gees was #1.  It held off some good albums, too, including Minute By Minute from the Doobie Brothers and the self-titled Dire Straits album.
1979:  The new song from Peaches & Herb, "Reunited", jumped from #66 to 26 on this date.









                                                     "Sultans of Swing" defined "cool".

1979:  "Tragedy" from the Bee Gees remained at #1 giving the trio a total of 19 weeks at #1 in the last three years for five different chart-toppers.  "I Will Survive" from Gloria Gaynor sat poised to take over while the Grammy Award winner from the Doobie Brothers, "What A Fool Believes" was third.  Donna Summer combined with Brooklyn Dreams for song #4--"Heaven Knows".  The rest of the Top 10:  "Shake Your Groove Thing" from Peaches & Herb, Dire Straits' first single, "Sultans Of Swing", was sixth, Rod Stewart's former #1 "Do Ya Think I'm Sexy?", Amii Stewart roared from 15 to 8 with "Knock On Wood", Bobby Caldwell with "What You Won't Do for Love" and Melissa Manchester had her first Top 10 with "Don't Cry Out Loud".
1982:  The Doobie Brothers announced they were breaking up after a farewell tour.
1983:  U2 appeared on the BBC-TV show Top of the Pops performing "Two Hearts Beat As One".  (Note:  several websites incorrectly list the date as April 1.  According to the book 'U2:  Into the Heart:  The Stories Behind Every Song' by Niall Stokes, U2 recorded the show on March 30 for broadcast on March 31.)1983:  Rockwell ruled for a fifth week on the R&B chart with "Somebody's Watching Me".










1984:  Kenny Loggins danced into the #1 spot with "Footloose", leaping over Rockwell's "Somebody's Watching Me".  Van Halen's reign was over with "Jump", the Eurythmics were up to 4 with "Here Comes The Rain Again" and newcomer Cyndi Lauper fell with "Girls Just Want To Have Fun". The rest of the Top 10:  "I Want A New Drug" from Huey Lewis & the News, which was much higher in most markets, Phil Collins had a smash in "Against All Odds", which moved from 12-7, the Pointer Sisters with "Automatic", Hall & Oates were stuck at 9 with "Adult Education" and Culture Club had another Top 10 with "Miss Me Blind".






                           Only Michael Jackson topped Van Halen on this date...

1984:  With each week it remained #1, Thriller by Michael Jackson extended the Rock Era record and made it tougher that another album will ever beat it.  On this date, the count had reached 35 weeks at #1.  1984 from Van Halen was second, followed by the great "Footloose" Soundtrack.  Colour By Numbers from Culture Club was next, with Can't Slow Down by Lionel Richie and Sports from Huey Lewis & the News behind.  The rest of the Top 10:  Learning to Crawl from the Pretenders, Touch by the Eurythmics, the Police were still in it after 40 weeks with Synchronicity and Cyndi Lauper edged into the Top 10 with She's So Unusual.











1986:  Heart released the single "Nothin' At All".  (Note:  one website naively lists the date of release as April 13.  "Nothin' At All" debuted on the charts on April 19.  It is physically impossible for a song to be included on the Singles chart if it has yet to be released as a single.)








 
1986:  O'Kelly Isley of the Isley Brothers died at age 48 of a heart attack in Alpine, New Jersey.
1987:  Prince released the album Sign O' the Times on on his own Paisley Records.










1990:  Cher began the North American leg of her tour in concert at the Starplex Amphitheater in Dallas, Texas.  Her Heart of Stone tour would gross over $70 million.
1990:  David Bowie hit #1 on the U.K. Album chart with Changes Bowie.
1990:  Snap! had their first #1 U.K. song with "The Power".









                                                          The title from Bolton's album...

1990:  Paula Abdul completed a nine-week run at #1 on the Album chart with Forever Your Girl, and all this after 89 weeks of release.  Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation 1814 and Grammy winner Nick of Time from Bonnie Raitt provided competition, with Soul Provider by Michael Bolton in fourth.









                              Collins was one of the most consistent artists of the period...

1990:  "Black Velvet" by Alannah Myles was #1 again with Taylor Dayne giving pursuit with "Love Will Lead You Back".  Phil Collins was at 3 with his 11th consecutive Top 10 song--"I Wish It Would Rain Down".  Tommy Page moved to 4 with "I'll Be Your Everything" and Lisa Stansfield continued to climb with "All Around The World".  The rest of the Top 10:  "Don't Wanna' Fall In Love" moved from 12 to 6 for Jane Child, Janet Jackson's former #1 "Escapade", Madonna was running out of steam with "Keep It Together", Technotronic had "Get Up!  (Before The Night Is Over)" and Luther Vandross was back with "Here And Now".
1992: Bruce Springsteen released both Human Touch and Lucky Town albums on the same day
1995:  Mexican-American singer Selena was murdered at age 23 by the president of her fan club in Corpus Christi, Texas.
1998:  The first Celebration of Female Artists Awards show took place at the Grosvenor House in London.
1998:  The video Good Times was released.  It was the only movie starring Sonny & Cher and was filmed in 1967.
2001:  Mr. Acker Bilk ("Strangers On The Shore") received the  Member of the Order of the British Empire medal for services to the music industry from Queen Elizabeth.
2002:  Barry Gibb bought his childhood home in Keppel Road, Chorlton, Manchester.

2002:  Celine Dion began the first of four weeks at the top of the U.K. Album chart with A New Day Has Come.
2003:  The Radiohead album Hail to the Thief appeared online three months before it was due.  Guitarist Johnny Greenwood denied that the album title referred to U.S. President George W. Bush.
2003:  Toni Braxton gave birth to her second child, son Diezel Ky Braxton.
2004:  Guitarist Jesse Colburn, ex-boyfriend of Avril Lavigne, left her band to pursue other opportunities.  Craig Wood, bassist for Canada's Gob, replaced him.









 
2004:  Confessions by Usher soared to #1 on the Album chart after selling 1 million copies in its first week.
2004:  Ozzy Osbourne confirmed that he was reforming Black Sabbath for a concert tour in the summer.
2005:  Marion "Suge" Knight, a rap record company boss, was ordered by the courts to pay $107 million to a woman who the court found had helped found the Death Row label in 1989 but was pushed out by Knight.


Born This Day:

1934:  Shirley Jones, singer with the Partridge Family and actress, was born in Charleroi, Pennsylvania.
1934:  John D. Loudermilk, who wrote "Tobacco Road" and "Indian Reservation", was born in Durham, North Carolina.









 
1935:  Herb Alpert, trumpeter, vocalist and leader of the 
Tijuana Brass and solo performer.  Alpert co-founded A&M Records with Jerry Moss out of his garage, later signing the Carpenters, Supertramp, Bryan Adams and the Police to name a few.  Alpert was born in Los Angeles.
1942:  Hugh McCracken, guitarist, harmonica player, arranger and producer who worked with Billy Joel, Hall & Oates, Paul McCartney, Paul Simon, Barbra Streisand, the Four Seasons, Aretha Franklin, Kenny Loggins, John Lennon, James Taylor, Roberta Flack, Bob Dylan, the Monkees, Gordon Lightfoot, Steely Dan and B.B. King, among others, was born in Glen Ridge, New Jersey; died March 28, 2013 of leukemia in New York City.  (Note:  some websites claim McCracken was born in New York City; he was born in Glen Ridge, according to the newspaper 'The New York Times'.)





 
1944:  Mick Ralphs, guitarist for Mott the Hoople and Bad Company, was born in Hereford, Herefordshire, England. 
1944:  Rodney Bainbridge, bassist for the Fortunes ("You've Got Your Troubles"), was born in Leicester, England; died January 10, 2008.
1946:  Al Nichol of the Turtles was born in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
1947:  Al Goodman, bass singer of the Moments ("Love On A Two-Way Street"), later renamed Ray, Goodman & Brown ("Special Lady" from 1980), was born in Jackson, Mississippi; died of heart failure on July 26, 2010.  (Note:  some websites say Goodman died on July 27--he died on July 26, according to the newspaper 'The New York Times'.)
1947:  Jon Poulos, drummer of the Buckinghams, was born in Chicago, Illinois; died March 26, 1980 in Chicago.
1948:  Thijs Van Leer, lead singer, organist and flautist for Focus ("Hocus Pocus), was born in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
1953:  Sean Hopper, keyboardist of Huey Lewis and the News, was born in San Francisco, California.
1954:  Tony Brock of the Babys and Tubes was born in Poole, Dorset, England.



 
1955:  Angus Young, lead guitarist for AC/DC, was born in Glasgow, Scotland.
1958:  Pat McGlynn, rhythm guitarist of the Bay City Rollers, was born in Edinburgh, Scotland.
1978:  Tony Yayo (real name Marvin Bernard), rapper with G-Unit and solo performer, was born in Queens, New York.

One-Hit Wonders Set To Premiere Monday

The Top 500 One-Hit Wonders of the Rock Era* will begin Monday, April 1.   It's a fascinating topic, because obviously the artists had the talent to get signed to a recording contract and record a top hit.  None of us could do that (if you believe it's easy, give it a try and report back to us when you land that big hit...!)  Each day, we'll feature 25 artists who for some reason, often because of factors out of their control, had one big hit and could never match it again in their career.

Join us for the first 20 days in April on Inside The Rock Era!

New Featured Unknown/Underrated Track: "Stay With Me 'Til Dawn" by Judie Tzuke

We have a new track to turn you onto.  Here's a largely undiscovered track from 1979. She was signed to Elton John's record label, Rocket Records, and the song should have been a big hit. Our radio station played it, but unfortunately other radio stations lacked the foresight or "the ears".

Stay With Me 'Til Dawn

Judie Tzuke

 

Words and Music by Judie Tzuke and Mike Paxman

 

Is this a game you're playing
I don't understand what's going on
I can't see through your frown,
first you're up then you're down
You're keeping me from someone I want to know
But I need you tonight (Need you tonight)
Yes I need you tonight (Need you tonight)
And I'll show you a sunset if you'll stay with me till dawn

It's the same old situations
every word so finely placed
Running round my concentration
It's the feeling that I've just got to break out and say
Oh I need you tonight (need you tonight)
Yes I need you tonight (need you tonight)
Yes I'll show you a sunset if you'll stay with me till dawn

Is this a game you're playing?
Playing with my heart ( Need you tonight)
Oooh stop playing with my heart ( Need you tonight)
And I'll show you a sunset if you'll stay with me till dawn...
Yes I'll show you a sunset if you'll stay with me till dawn...

This Date in Rock Music History: March 30

1957:  Buddy Knox became the first rock artist to write his own #1 song as "Party Doll" topped the charts.
1959:  "Venus" was her name, but it was also the name of the #1 song that Frankie Avalon had for the fourth week.  

1963:  Skeeter Davis prevailed on the Easy Listening chart for a third week with "The End Of The World".
1963:  The Chiffons climbed to #1 with "He's So Fine", which would go on to lead all songs for four weeks.  Ruby & the Romantics slipped with "Our Day Will Come" and Skeeter Davis owned #3--"The End Of The World".
1966:  The Barbra Streisand special Color Me Barbra aired on CBS-TV.
1966:  85 people were arrested in Paris, France following a Rolling Stones concert.  The Stones even spread their violence to a nice country like France.





 
1967:  Photo work for the cover of the Beatles' Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band album began at Chelsea Manor Photo Studios in London.  The group continued work on "With A Little Help From My Friends" by adding guitars, tambourine and backing vocals.
1968:  David Bowie made his debut with the Lindsay Kemp mime troupe in Pierrot in Turquoise.
1968:  The Yardbirds performed and recorded Yardbirds Live at the Anderson Theatre in New York City. 
1968:  "Lady Madonna" hit #1 in the U.K.








1968:  "(Sittin' On) The Dock Of The Bay" by Otis Redding was #1 on the R&B chart for a third week.  
1968:  Paul Mauriat had the #1 Adult song for the seventh week, the great instrumental "Love Is Blue".
1968:  The late Otis Redding remained at #1 for the third week with "(Sittin' On) The Dock Of The Bay.  For a song that had spent five weeks at #1 itself, "Love Is Blue" didn't show signs that people were tired of it--the Paul Mauriat song was still #2.  









1970:  Chicago released the single "Make Me Smile".
1974:  The Ramones made their first concert appearance at Performance Studio in New York City.









 
1974:  John Denver's Greatest Hits reached #1 on the Album chart.  Court and Spark from Joni Mitchell was one step away with Tubular Bells from Mike Oldfield third.  Barbra Streisand had yet another top album with the former #1 The Way We Were and Paul McCartney & Wings were up with Band on the Run.  The rest of the Top 10:  Planet Waves from Bob Dylan & the Band, Hotcakes from Carly Simon, Love Unlimited Orchestra moved up with Rhapsody in White, Elton John was still hanging in after 24 weeks with Goodbye Yellow Brick Road and the late Jim Croce moved back in the Top 10 after 58 weeks with You Don't Mess Around with Jim.








1974:  One of John Denver's greatest songs, "Sunshine On My Shoulders", took over at #1 but Blue Swede was right on his tail with "Hooked On A Feeling".  Terry Jacks' former #1 "Seasons In The Sun" was third and "Bennie And The Jets" gave Elton John another hit.  The rest of the Top 10:  "Dark Lady" from Cher, Carly Simon & James Taylor's remake of "Mockingbird", Paul McCartney & Wings edged up with "Jet", Redbone found the Top 10 with "Come And Get Your Love", Mocedades great song "Eres Tu (Touch The Wind)" was #9 and Sister Janet Mead moved to #10 with "The Lord's Prayer".
1982:  U2 played at the San Francisco Civic Center.
1984:  David Gilmour, guitarist for Pink Floyd, appeared on the television show The Tube.
1984:  Greg Lake left the group Asia, and was replaced by original guitarist John Wetton, the bassist Lake originally replaced.









1985:  "Nightshift" by the Commodores was once again #1 on the R&B chart.
1985:  Phil Collins set up camp at #1 on the Adult Contemporary chart with "One More Night".











                                                    Survivor was "High On You"...

1985:  Phil Collins had the new #1 song with "One More Night", leaving Madonna to wonder why a song like "Material Girl" could never reach #1.  REO Speedwagon was third with "Can't Fight This Feeling" and Teena Marie had herself a hit with "Lovergirl".  U.S.A. for Africa was up from 21 to 5 with "We Are The World".  The rest of the Top 10:  Julian Lennon with "Too Late For Goodbyes", Tina Turner's "Private Dancer", Survivor remained the same with "High On You", Madonna's new song "Crazy For You" was up from 20 to 9 and the Commodores hit the Top 10 for the ninth time with "Nightshift".







                                     "Freedom" helped give Wham staying power...

1985:  No Jacket Required by Phil Collins reached #1 on the Album chart just four weeks after its release.  Centerfield from John Fogerty was now second, followed by Born in the U.S.A. from Bruce Springsteen and the Soundtrack to "Beverly Hills Cop".  The rest of an excellent Top 10:  Private Dancer from Tina Turner, the Like a Virgin album by Madonna, Wham!  fell from 4 to 7 with Make It Big, Wheels Are Turnin' by REO Speedwagon, Foreigner remained in the #9 spot with Agent Provocateur and the incredible Reckless album was #10 for Bryan Adams.
1989:  Gladys Knight performed without the Pips at Bally's Resort in Las Vegas, Nevada.
1991:  Chesney Hawkes began a five-week on at #1 on the U.K. charts with "The One And Only".
1991:  The Eurythmics hit #1 on the U.K. Album chart with their Greatest Hits album.  It would remain on top for nine weeks. 
1991:  Gloria Estefan's comeback song after a serious car crash, "Coming Out Of The Dark", reached #1.
1991:  Wilson Phillips reached #1 on the AC chart with "You're In Love".



                                                "Vanishing" from Mariah Carey...

1991:  The incredible debut album from Mariah Carey was #1 for a fifth week.  









 
1992:  R.E.M. began work on the Automatic For the People album at Bearsville Studios in Woodstock, New York.
1994:  Pink Floyd released the album The Division Bell.
1996:  The Beatles had the #1 album in the U.K. with Anthology 2.
1996:  Alanis Morissette latched onto #1 on the Album chart for a fifth week with Jagged Little Pill.
2000:  The rights to Castle Records including the Kinks catalog were sold to Sanctuary Music.







 
2000:  Mick Jagger helped dedicate a new arts centre that had been named after him at his old school, Dartford Grammar.
2003:  Limp Bizkit welcomed new guitarist Mike Smith, formerly of Snot, in an appearance on Wrestlemania.
2004:  Recording industry groups in Canada, Denmark, Germany and Italy announced that they would take legal action against 247 people for trading music online.
2004:  The Sterephonics played a concert benefiting the Teenage Cancer Trust at London's Royal Albert Hall.  Ron Wood and Roger Daltrey joined on stage in the cause.
2004:  Guns N' Roses dropped out of the Rock in Rio-Lisbon Festival due to the sudden departure of guitarist Buckethead.
2004:  Paul McCartney made an impromptu appearance with a local jazz trio at a restaurant in Truckee, California.
2004:  Timi Yuro ("Hurt") died from throat cancer in Las Vegas, Nevada at age 63.
2010:  Usher released the album Raymond v. Raymond.

2013:  Phil Ramone, violinist, recording engineer, and legendary producer of the best albums that Billy Joel did as well as albums by Elton John, Madonna, Paul McCartney, Chicago, Frank Sinatra, Stevie Wonder, Barry Manilow, Rod Stewart, Olivia Newton-John, Dionne Warwick, Aretha Franklin, Gloria Estefan, Guess Who, Bob Dylan, James Taylor, Richard Marx, Sheena Easton, Peter, Paul and Mary and Ray Charles, among others, died March 20, 2013 at age 79 in Manhattan, New York of a brain aneurysm.


Born This Day:
 
1913:  Frankie Laine (real name Francesco Paolo LoVecchio) was born in Chicago, Illinois; died of heart failure in San Diego, California on February 6, 2007.
1930:  Rolf Harris ("Tie Me Kangaroo Down, Sport") was born in Bassendean, Australia.
1933:  Willie Nelson was born in Abbott, Texas.  (Note:  some websites report Willie was born on March 29.  The correct date is March 30, according to 'Country Music Television' and 'The History Channel'.)
1942:  Graeme Edge, drummer for the Moody Blues, was born in Rochester, Staffordshire, England.  (Note:  'Allmusic.com' claims Edge was born in Rochester, Staffs, England.  The name of the county is Staffordshire.  You can probably tell that we don't care much for inexactitude.)
1943:  Jay Traynor, lead singer of Jay and the Americans and a member of the Vocal Group Hall of Fame, was born in Brooklyn, New York; died of liver cancer January 2, 2014 in Tampa, Florida.  (Note:  one website claims Jay was born in Albany, New York.  According to Traynor's official website, he was born in Brooklyn.)


 
1945:  Eric Clapton (real name Eric Clapp) was born in Ripley, Surrey, England.  (Note:  some websites state that Clapton was born in Surrey, England.  Surrey is a county, not a city.  The correct birthplace is Ripley, Surrey, England.)
1948:  Jim "Dandy" Mangrum, lead singer of Black Oak Arkansas, was born in Benton Harbor, Michigan.  (Note:  several websites claim Mangrum was born in Black Oak, Arkansas.  However, the book 'Encyclopedia of Arkansas Music' by Ali Welky and Mike Keckhaver states that Jim was born in Benton Harbor.)  1950:  Dave Ball, guitarist of Procol Harum, was born in Handsworth, Birmingham, England.
1950  Re Styles (real name Shirley Marie MacLeod), guitarist and vocalist with the Tubes, was born in Middleburg, the Netherlands.
1955:  Randy VanWarmer ("Just When I Needed You Most") was born in Indian Hills, Colorado; died of leukemia in Seattle, Washington on January 12, 2004.



 

1962:  Stanley Kirk Burrell (MC Hammer) was born in Oakland, California.









 
1964:  Tracy Chapman was born in Cleveland, Ohio.

1968:  Celine Dion was born in Charlemagne, Quebec, Canada.
1976:  Mark McClelland, founder and bass guitarist of Snow Patrol, was born in Belfast, Northern Ireland.









 
1979:  Norah Jones was born in Brooklyn, New York.  (Note:  'MTV' and 'Biography" claim Norah was born in New York City.  Just as an FYI to those--there are several boroughs that exist within New York City, each with their own identities and official population figures.  If a person is born in that borough, that is their official birthplace listed on their birth certificate, not the more vague "New York City".  'ABC', a much more credible source, correctly shows Norah's birthplace as Brooklyn.) 
1980:  Paul Wall (on song "Grillz" by Nelly) was born in Houston, Texas.

This Date in Rock Music History: March 29

1961:  Governor Ernest Vandiver of Georgia declared it "Brenda Lee Day".

1963:  The Shadows had their fifth #1 in the U.K. with "Foot Tapper".
1964:  The Hollies, the Dave Clark Five, the Kinks and the Mojos began a U.K. tour at the Coventry Theatre.
1966:  Mick Jagger, lead singer of the Rolling Stones, was injured during a concert in Marseilles, France after a fan threw a chair at the stage, with the left leg of the chair hitting the surprised Mick just below the left eye.  Jagger had to have eight stitches.
1966:  Fans mobbed the Walker Brothers after they entered their hotel in Cheshire, England.  Two group members suffered concussions.

1967:  The Rolling Stones appeared at the Stadthalle in Bremen, Germany along with opening acts the Easybeats and the Creation.  
1967:  The Beatles began work on a new song "With A Little Help From My Friends".  The track required 10 takes of the rhythm arrangement.







 
1968:  Glen Campbell was named as the guest host of the Smothers Brothers' Summer Replacement Variety Hour on CBS-TV.
1969:  John Lennon, Black Sabbath, the Crazy World of Arthur Brown and Curved Air were among those who appeared at the London Free Easter Festival at Victoria Park in Bethnal Green.
1969:  "Galveston" by Glen Campbell set the pace on the Adult chart.
1969:  "Hair" by the Cowsills rose from 70 to 35.
1969:  Tommy Roe remained balanced at the top with "Dizzy" for a third week at #1.  






                                      "Smiling Phases" from Blood, Sweat & Tears...

1969:  Blood, Sweat & Tears soared to the top of the U.S. Album chart with their phenomenal debut album.  Wichita Lineman by Glen Campbell was second with the Cream finale, Goodbye, #3. Ball from Iron Butterfly dropped in next with The White Album from the Beatles in the fifth position.  The rest of the Top 10:  In-A-Gadda-a-Vida from Iron Butterfly, Donovan's Greatest Hits moved from 11 to 7, the Greatest Hits from the Association was #8, Tom Jones remained the same with Help Yourself and TCB from Diana Ross & the Supremes with the Temptations finished the list.
1970:  Ed Sullivan debuted a series of live broadcasts in which music stars sang for servicemen in VA hospitals during the Vietnam War.  Bobby Gentry and Gladys Knight & the Pips appeared on the first show, televised on CBS.
1970:  John Lennon and Yoko Ono announced that Yoko was pregnant with the couple's first child.  Ono was pregnant in 1968, but had a miscarriage.
1973:  After Dr. Hook & the Medicine Show wrote a song about not appearing on "The Cover of the Rolling Stone", they appeared on the cover of The Rolling Stone.

1975:  Jeff Beck released his first solo album Blow By Blow.  (Note:  some websites say the album was released on March 30, but according to Gibson Guitars, the correct date is March 29.)
1975:  Earth, Wind & Fire prevailed for a second week at #1 on the R&B chart with "Shining Star".













1975:  Labelle topped the U.S. Singles chart with "Lady Marmalade".  Minnie Riperton's "Lovin' You" moved up to challenge while "Philadelphia Freedom" by Elton John rose from 11 to 3.  B.T. Express owned the #4 song with "Express".  The rest of the Top 10:  Joe Cocker's "You Are So Beautiful", Ringo Starr had the "No No Song" at #6, Phoebe Snow edged up with "Poetry Man", Frankie Valli dropped precipitously from 1 to 8 with "My Eyes Adored You", Sugarloaf moved up with "Don't Call Us, We'll Call You" and Olivia Newton scored her fourth straight Top 10 with "Have You Never Been Mellow".






 
1975:  Led Zeppelin placed all six albums on the U.S. Album chart simultaneously.  No other act has ever matched that feat.  Physical Graffiti was #1.
1976:  Neil Young started a European tour with three concerts at the Hammersmith Odeon in London.  
1978:  David Bowie premiered his Low/Heroes 77-date World Tour at San Diego Sports Arena.
1980: The Whispers quietly grabbed the #1 spot on the R&B chart for a fifth week with "And The Beat Goes On".








1980:  It had been nearly ten years since he had a hit, but Tommy James had the new #1 song on the Adult Contemporary chart with "Three Times In Love".










  
                                             "Ride Like the Wind" from newcomer Cross...

1980:  There were two new songs in the Top 10 and were they great...Blondie advanced from 11 to 5 with "Call Me" and Christopher Cross moved from 14-9 with his debut single "Ride Like The Wind".









   
                              "Sometimes a Fantasy" from Billy Joel's new album...

1980: The Wall by Pink Floyd spent an 11th week at #1 on the Album chart, holding off the fast-charging (9-2) Against the Wind by Bob Seger & the Silver Bullet Band.  Mad Love by Linda Ronstadt captured the #3 spot while Damn the Torpedoes from Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers earned position #4.  The rest of the Top 10:  Bebe Le Strange from Heart, Billy Joel climbed from 11 to 6 in just the second week of release for Glass Houses, Chuck Mangione's Fun and Games was again #8, Phoenix from Dan Fogelberg was next and Michael Jackson remained #10 with Off the Wall.

 

"The Great Gig in the Sky", one of the tracks that have made 'Dark Side of Moon" an enduring classic...

1980:  Dark Side of the Moon by Pink Floyd spent its 303rd week on the Album chart to finally topple Tapestry, the masterpiece by Stanley, Idaho's Carole King, which had held the record for nearly a decade.  The Floyd went on to obliterate the record, staying on the charts from 1973-1988, an unbelievable 741 weeks.  With several re-entries onto the chart, the count as of late last year was 889 weeks for Dark Side.
1982:  Vangelis took home an Oscar for Best Original Score from the classic movie Chariots of Fire.
1985:  Tom Bailey of the Thompson Twins was found collapsed on his hotel room floor,  Bailey suffered from exhaustion.
1985:  Jeanine Deckers, known as the Singing Nun, who reached #1 with "Dominique" in 1963, died at the age of 52 after committing suicide.  Deckers told of her financial difficulties in a suicide note, yet on that very day and unbeknownst to her, the association that collects royalties for songwriters awarded her $300,000.  Two things:  1)  It is extremely sad that a woman who devoted her life to Christ did not have more faith and 2) it is also extremely sad that a person who should recognize that money is not important placed so much importance on it that she would kill herself.

1986:  Falco moved to #1 with "Rock Me Amadeus".  Heart's "These Dreams" edged down while "Secret Lovers" by Atlantic Starr was third.
1986:  Heart held on to #1 on the AC chart for a third week with "These Dreams".
1986:  Whitney Houston had the top album for the fourth straight week, as the album passed the 52-week mark of release.
1988:  Madonna appeared in the Lincoln Center in the Broadway play Speed the Plow.







1989:  Carly Simon won the Oscar at the Academy Awards at the Shrine Civic Auditorium in Los Angeles for Best Original Song for "Let The River Run" from Working Girl.











1993:  Peabo Bryson and Regina Bell won the Oscar for Best Original Song for "A Whole New World" from Aladdin.
2001:  Elton John, Paul Simon, David Crosby and others performed at a tribute to Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys at Radio City Music Hall in New York City.
2003:  James Brown donated 400 tickets for his Houston show to members of the military.
2004:  Jon Bon Jovi and his wife celebrated the birth of son Romeo Jon.
2004:  Prince began his Musicology tour at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.  He announced that it would be the last time he would play his hits live.






 
2005:  Neil Young required brain surgery at a New York City hospital after suffering an aneurysm.










 
2007:  Bono, lead singer of U2, accepted an honorary knighthood at a ceremony in Dublin, Ireland.  









 
2008:  Mariah Carey's "Touch My Body" was #1 for a second week, giving her 80 total weeks at #1 in her career.  Wikipedia tells you that she passed Elvis Presley but that is erroneous--with her 80th week at #1, Carey and Elvis are now tied for the Rock Era record.
2009:  Guitar Hero:  Metallica was released.
2011:  Ray Herr, guitarist, bassist and singer with the Ides of March ("Vehicle" from 1970) passed away at age 64 from esophageal cancer in Hainesville, Illinois.


Born This Day:
1940:  Ray Davis, original bass singer and a founding member of Parliament and Funkadelic, was born in Sumter, South Carolina; died of respiratory problems in New Brunswick, New Jersey on July 5, 2005.
 
1943:  Chad Allen, founding member, original lead singer and rhythm guitarist of the Guess Who, was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. 
1943:  Evangelos Papathanassiou (Vangelis--"Chariots Of Fire") was born in Agria, Greece.  (Note:  some websites claim Vangelis was born in Volus, Greece, but according to his official website, he was born in Agria, about 8 kilometers from Volus.)









 
1944:  Terry Jacks ("Seasons In The Sun" from 1974) was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.
1945:  John "Speedy" Keen, songwriter, vocalist, drummer and keyboardist for Thunderclap Newman, was born in Ealing, London; died March 21, 2002 of heart failure.













 
1947:  Bobby Kimball, lead singer of Toto, was born in Orange, Texas.
1959:  Perry Farrell, frontman for Jane's Addiction, was born in Queens, New York. (Note:  some websites say he was born in New York City, but according to 'CMJ New Music Monthly', Farrell was born in Queens.
1967:  John Popper, lead singer and a virtuoso harmonica player for  Blues Traveler, was born in Cleveland, Ohio.